Container-strap-sealing device



H. L.'M0-RAWETZ. CONTAINER STRAP SEALING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. f9, 1919.

1,3 1, 90. 1/ Pafented Dec. 14,1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY L. MORAWETZ, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

CONTAINER-STRAP- SEALING DEVICE.

Application filed November 19, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. MORAWETZ, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Container- Strap-Sealing Devices, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in container strap sealing devices.

In shipping boxes or packages and more particularly paste board or fiber containers, it is now quite common to bind the boxes or containers with metal straps to eliminate the use of nails, screws or other cover fastening means. In use the metal straps are extended around the sides and ends of the containers and the end portions of each strap are overlapped and crimped together in connection with metal seals which prevent the separation of the overlapped ends. In fastening the strap ends the straps are drawn as tightly as possible around the container but during shipment the containers are piled upon one another and, more particularly in paste board or fiber containers, the covers are forced into more intimate contact with the body portions or the contents may be more closely forced together with the result that the individual straps become loosened or slack and may be easily slid edgewise off the containers and the contents of the containers be surreptitiously removed by unscrupulous persons and the straps be replaced. As thus restrapped the containers will not indicate that they have been pilfered and they will be received by the consignee from the transportation company as in good order. It may be some time after receipt of shipment that the container is opened and the loss discovered and it is then almost impossible to trace the matter or hold the transportation company responsible for the loss. Losses of this kind are quite common and are a source of endless trouble and expense.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome the before-mentioned objectionable features and provide a container strap sealing device constructed to prct'ent the removal of the metal binding Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920. Serial No. 339,023.

straps without cutting the straps or the seals so that if a container has been tampered with, it will be easily apparent from an exterior inspection thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container strap sealing device in which the crossed metal binding straps are connected together insuch a manner as to prevent said straps from being moved edgewise from the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container strap sealing device which is adaptedv to be used in connection with the ordinary strap end sealing means now in use in placing the metal straps around containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container strap sealing means which is of simple construction, is strong and durable and is well adapted for the purpose described.

Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved container strap sealing device and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container having metal straps provided with the improved sealing device;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale of two crossed metal straps connected together by the improved sealing device;

Fig. 3 is a top view of overlapped strap end portions showing manner of connecting and sealing them together.

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a modified form of sealing device shown mounted on two crossed straps; and

Fig. 7 is a similar View of another modified fori I Referring to the drawing, the numeral 8 indicates a rectangular container formed of any desirable material which is bound by two metal straps 9 and 10 extending around the container at right angles to each other.

The ends 11 of the straps are overlapped and partly inclosed by securing means 12 of "channel shapev in cross section which are crimped edgewise .as indicated by the numeral 13 to lock the parts together. The parts thus fardescribed are of ordinary construction and now in use and on the market.

As thus constructed the straps become slack when the containers are subjected to pres: sure and may be easily slipped edgewise off the container and as easily replaced'without any exterior indication thereof.

The right angularly extending metal straps 9 and 10 necessarily cross each other and at the point of crossing or intersection a sealing lock 14 18 mounted on the straps to prevent the edgewise movement of the straps. 'The sealing lock in the preferred form comprises a body portion 15 ofrec- .tangular shape having flanges 16 extending at right .angles from its four edge portions .which are provided with elongated slots or eyes 17. Each strap extends through two of the slots as clearly shown in the drawing and the portions of the straps adjacent the side edges of the body portion 15 are .crimped edgewise .as indicated by the numeral 18 by the same tool which is used for crimping the overlapped strap ends beforementioned. The edge crimping flanges or shoulders the-opposite side edge portions 18 of the straps at right angles to the sides of the strap and to such an extent as to prevent said portions from passingthrough the slots of ;the look seal andstraps are thus locked in position on the container; as neither strap can be .moved edgewise without exerting a V lengthwise pullor the-other strap extending at right angles thereto and said other strap cannot :be moved endwisedue to the angular corner edge bends or shoulders 19 of said strap.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 6, the body portion 15 :is ofcircularshape and is provided with anannular flange 16 having elongated slots 17 formed therein. These 7 slots are positioned :in pairs opposite each sealing ,.lock comprises an elongated body portion 20 having an elongated slot 21 other .to receive the strap portions in the same manner described in the preferred form.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 7, the

:formed therein through which both straps 9 and 10 pass at the point of intersection of said straps. The portion 20' of the lock which extends beneath the intersecting strap portions is ofiset laterally approximately the thickness of the two straps to permit said lock to rest flatwise against the straplportions. The portions :of the straps adjacent the loci: are \crimped edgewise in .the same manner before described.

In use the straps are placed around the container =.in the usual manner and at the .point of crosslngror intersection are slipped through the elongated slot or slots and the ends of the straps are thenoverlapped and drawn tight and thencriinped in connection with a securing means. When the strap ends are thus connected; the crimping tool isthen used to crimp the edge. portions of the straps adjacent the seal lock and the straps cannot be removed from the container without cutting the parts andthus giving visible notice of the pilfering. hile the edge crimping means has been shown and described for locking the locking seal in position on the straps it :is to lee-understood that the straps may be otherwise crimped or shouldered or bent to prevent movement of the locking seal with relation to vthe straps.

. From the foregoing descriptionit will be seen that the container strap seallng devlce is of very simple construction .and is well angled portions adjacent to but spaced from the point of intersection, and-means at the point of intersection :and between [the angled portions of the straps and through which the straps extend for preventing lateral edgewise movement of the straps on .the container.

3. A container having crossed straps thereon formed of bendable material angled adjacent the point-of intersection, a locking means therefor consisting of a slotted member at the point of intersection of the straps and through which the straps extend at jrightlangles to each other, the angled portions of said straps positioned on opposite side edge portions of the locking means to prevent movement .ofithe straps through the slotted memberor on thecontainer. 7

1. A container having crossed straps thereon formediofbendable material, a looking means therefor having :a plurality of elongated slots through which-the straps at the point of intersection extend, the said straps on each-side edge of the lockil'ig-means being crimped to prevent movement of the straps through the slots or on the-container.

5. A container having crossed straps thereon formed of bendable material. a looking means therefor comprislng'a .body portion having a flanged portion provided with elongated slots through which the straps at the point of intersection extend at right an- :gles to each;other,the said straps adjacent the locking means being orimped to prevent movement of the straps through the slots or on the container.

6. A container having crossed bendable metal straps thereon, a locking means therefor comprising a body portion of rectangular shape having an angularly extending flange on each edge which is provided with elongated slots through which the straps extend at right angles to each other, each strap 011 each side edge of the locking means being flanged at an angle transversely of the strap to form shoulders to prevent movement of the straps through the slots and with relation to each other.

7. A locking means for shouldered crossed straps on a container consisting of a bendable sheet metal body portion having four flanged portions bent at an angle from the body openings for receiving therethrough crossed shouldered straps.

In testimony whereof I affix my si nature.

HARRY L. MoRAwETz.

portion and provided with elongated 20 

